Swara Yoga - Part 7: The Guru Tattwa

Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati

Within the last few decades, as the Occident started turning towards
the yogic science for new inspiration in life, side by side the necessity
to find a proper guru who could impart this knowledge was being felt by
more and more people. Of course it is very easy to purchase a book on
hatha yoga and follow the instructions but this is an impersonal method,
and most people find it unfulfilling. Therefore, even in the Occident,
people are starting to become aware of the guru tattwa.

In ancient days knowledge of every science, trade, etc. was only had
by word of mouth from guru to chela, or master to disciple. Though every
aspect of life concerning the empirical and spiritual worlds was recorded
in the four Vedas, the tradition of oral tuition continued, and is still
very much alive even today in India. In early times before any written
knowledge had been collected, it was up to the disciples to memorise perfectly
the teachings of their gurus. As time went on, the disciples decided that
it was necessary to write down the precious knowledge they had imbibed.

The modern system of teacher and student cannot be compared to guru and
disciple because it lacks one vital element: the guru tattwa. In India
the guru is considered as more than a teacher. When the common layman
comes in contact with any guru, he is full of inner respect towards him,
whether the guru's appearance and manners are cordial or not. He accepts
the guru in a physical form, because he understands that it is only the
outer shell of the inner enlightened soul and consciousness.

Swara yoga, a secret science

As people are delving deeper into the yogic science, the practices of
hatha and raja yoga are becoming well known. Many adherents have heard
about swara yoga but when they search for a book pertaining to this science
they find nothing available. Even in India it is the same. If you want
to learn the science properly you have to find the swara guru.

In India many people still have knowledge of swara yoga. It is not difficult
to acquire a general understanding of the science, but those who practise
it are not willing to disclose their knowledge to just anyone. Even if
you refer to the original texts, you will have difficulty understanding
the symbology and terminology used.

Due to this, the Sanskrit texts are sometimes misinterpreted. So it is
not completely effective to learn only from the scriptural references.
If you are going to seriously delve into swara yoga, it is safer and easier
to try and find the guru who can initiate you into the science. This is
exactly what the Shiva Samhita (3:9) states: "Having received instructions
in yoga, and obtained a guru who knows yoga, let him practise with earnestness
according to the method taught by the teacher."

In this modern day, it is rare to find the swara guru, and initiation
into the practices is kept more secret than other tantric initiations.
It is not just for the sake of being secretive, or to keep some valuable
treasure exclusive to India alone. The sages had a very logical reason
for withholding from the general public those sciences which rapidly expand
the consciousness by increasing the pranic and mental capacities.

In the past these specific branches of tantra were kept secret because
people frequently misused the techniques in order to gain greater power
for selfish and destructive motives. Many suffered on account of this.
But worse than that, the reputable science of tantra and yoga was defamed.
Therefore, we should not consider any branch of the yogic science as dangerous
or corrupt, but the correct purpose for which it is meant to be used must
be kept in mind. For this reason, since ancient times, such techniques
as swara yoga could only be learned under the tutelage of the guru.

Inner guru

An important question arises from these considerations. What is meant
by the 'spiritual' intentions of swara yoga? The term 'spiritual' has
nothing to do with religion or mysticism or anything in the spirit world.
If your concept of spirituality has any of these connotations, then it
needs some alteration. 'Spiritual' implies transformation of the lower
mind so that it becomes capable of perceiving subtler and higher realms.
When the transformation occurs, experience of another, all encompassing
and all knowing mind existing in the substratum of every living and non-living
thing is perceived. It operates something like a main radio station sending
signals to smaller substations and radios. But it is only after the consciousness
has undergone a certain stage of evolution that the higher mind can be
realised. This is the experience of the 'inner guru'. So, if you desire
to awaken the vast dormant area of your brain through swara yoga and experience
the higher consciousness, then you will have to find an evolved and enlightened
person, who has already undergone such an experience.

In India the guru tattwa is the most relevant part of an individual's
life and sadhana. Whether your sadhana follows the lines of swara yoga
or has no such formalities, the fulfilment of serving the guru is most
vital.

In the tantra and yoga shastras the opening sloka always starts with
an invocation to the primal and supreme guru. Of course the name of the
guru may vary depending on which era the text was written in. Some texts
claim Shiva to be the param guru, others Brahma or Vishnu. Nevertheless
they are all referring to the one supreme consciousness which pervades
every aspect of creation.

The Shiva Swarodaya first salutes Maheshwara, the Maha-Ishwara or greatest
master and lord, also known as Shiva. This is intended to remind us of
our ultimate existence, purpose and destiny. The invocation does not even
require faith. The mind is ever evolving; when you consciously think of
the highest, purest experience, eventually your own individual consciousness
will be taken into that realm where the sat guru or true guru exists.

For the people who do not have spiritual convictions and are striving
consciously to find a satisfying and permanent experience, the path of
swara yoga is very effective. There are also those who cannot accept anything
other than the mundane existence. These people too can practise swara
yoga, because it consists of a scientific and practical system which enables
you to even enjoy worldly life more fully. The Shiva Swarodaya (v. 12)
clearly sums up the whole science, stating that: "It is helpful to
those who are believers in a supreme being, as well as for those who are
non-believers. Even to non-believers, it will give many surprises."

Manifestation of the guru tattwa

The greatest surprise occurs through the practice of swara yoga as the
techniques start having a noticeable effect upon your whole being and
your concepts of life. Then the purpose for which these practices are
intended begins manifesting in tangible experience. As swara yoga was
designed to awaken the higher consciousness, then whosoever should practise
it is bound to have this experience eventually.

This system is based on scientific lines, whereby you start from a logical,
comprehensive point in your physical existence, and manipulate the mental
and psychic forces. By concentrating on the two dualistic energy forces,
and eliminating all of the accumulated impurities within the energy pathways
of the physical, mental and psychic bodies, the third most powerful force
can be generated. That is the spiritual energy which awakens the higher
faculties in the brain and consciousness.

Through swara yoga the monitoring centre in the brain, known as ajna
or guru chakra, situated at the pineal gland, is directly activated. 'Ajna'
means to command, therefore, through ajna chakra instructions from our
higher consciousness to the gross mind and body are mediated. For the
purpose of awakening ajna chakra, the swara shastras emphasise the necessity
of the external guru before the internal awakening process is begun.

Thus the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (3:12) declares that: "He who is devoted
to any knowledge, while pleasing the guru with utmost attention, readily
obtains the fruit of that knowledge." Another reason why the guru
is necessary is that no one will know the science better than he. The
guru is fully experienced and shows you, according to your own personal
development, the systematic process by which you can progress.

Therefore, even if you do not want to practise swara yoga for the realisation
of higher consciousness, but prefer to use it for worldly fulfilment,
still it is most necessary to have a guru. He will know your inner desire
and capacity, and will allow the expansion of your consciousness to proceed
at a rate which you are able to handle. He knows how and for whom the
practices will bring best results. Therefore, the Shiva Samhita (3:14)
states that: "Only by the guru's favour is everything good relating
to oneself obtained. So the guru ought to be served daily, else there
can be nothing auspicious."